How Effective is Gardasil & What are Its Side Effects?

Gardasil comes in two versions, HPV 9-valent vaccine and HPV quadrivalent which are used in both males and females. There is another type of HPV vaccine known as Cervarix which is used in females only.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause genital warts. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can also lead to conditions such as cancer of the cervix, genital warts and different cancers of the vagina and vulva.

Gardasil is used in females aged between 9 to 26 years to effectively prevent cancers of the vagina, anal and cervix brought by some forms of HPV.

Gardasil is also effectively utilized in male patients aged between 9 and 26 years to prevent genital warts and anal cancer brought by particular types of HPV.

• You may be given Gardasil vaccine when you test positive to HPV or if you had genital warts before or if you had an abnormal pap smear before. However, it should be noted that Gardasil does not cure HPV conditions nor does it treat HPV related cancers or active genital warts.
• This vaccine is only used to prevent illnesses brought by HPV types which are 6, 11, 16 and 18. Gardasil is not used to hinder other illnesses that come as a result of HPV virus.
• Children of both gender at the ages of 11 and 12 years are supposed to receive HPV vaccines, this is according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation. HPV vaccine is also recommended for all teenagers who never received it and those that skipped some booster shots.
• Like other vaccines, Gardasil may not offer everyone protection from illnesses.
• Do not go for a booster vaccine if you suffered allergic reaction from the initial shot.
• Some patients have suffered convulsion reactions or felt a fainting feel within 15 minutes after Gardasil administration.

To be safe with gardasil, ensure your doctor knows if you have:

• Fever
• Allergic to yeast
• Immune system that is weak
• If you are no cancer medications, steroids or other medicines that may weaken your immune system.

Gardasil vaccine is not supposed to hurt unborn baby but you have to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or you are planning to be.

It is not proven whether HPV vaccine can get into breast milk or if it can hurt a nursing child. You doctor should know if you are breastfeeding.

This vaccine is not a protection from sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, herpes, trichomoniasis and syphilis.

Seek immediate medical assistance if you suffer allergic reactions to Gardasil, such as breathing difficulty, hives or swelling of your throat, lips, tongue and face.

Monitor all side effects you experience after Gardasil administration. Always tell your doctor of the side effects you had when you go for a booster dose.

Some patients have suffered convulsion reactions or have a fainting feeling within 15 minutes after Gardasil vaccine shot. Your physician may want to monitor your reaction in the first 15 minutes after gardasil injection.

Getting cancer from HPV infection is more risky to your health than receiving HPV vaccine to protect your health. Gardasil may cause side effects just like other medications but the danger of serious side effects is minimal.

Inform your doctor immediately in case if you have the following severe side effects of Gardasil:

• Serious stomach pain,
• Feeling sick, fever, swollen glands, chills,
• Uncommon weakness, easy bleeding or bruising
• Muscle and joint weaknesses or pains
• Convulsion, confusion,
• Short breaths,
• Chest pain.

Common side effects of gardasil include;

• Bruising, itching, pain, or redness where the vaccine was shot;
• Vomiting, nausea
• Fever,
• Dizziness, headache are the common side effects of gardasil.